With an unconventional style and a get-your-gloves-dirty approach, Simon Katich proves you don't have to be fashionable to be successful. His walk-across-the-stumps technique isn't as crabby as Shivnarine Chanderpaul's, and he is scrawny next to Matthew Hayden and Shane Watson, but Katich has been a must-have man at the top of Australia's order in the second stage of his career.

In phase one, which began with a Test debut in 2001 and included a spot in the 2005 Ashes loss, Katich was overly intense. Learning to enjoy his job was central to the stunning revival from seemingly washed up domestic batsman to respected Test player. Rather than trying to prove anything to the Australia selectors who cut his national contract in 2007, he conceded he was struggling and deserved to be dropped. The 2007-08 season was the turning point, with his 1506 Pura Cup runs for New South Wales earning him another chance in a baggy green. The fun continued when he quickly became a national fixture with six hundreds in 16 matches, even though he was playing out of position.

Katich is capable of batting at two paces: he can nudge, leave and work the ball across his body for hours; or release free-flowing drives through cover, cuts behind point or heavy pulls. The method depends on the situation and how he feels, with his body language usually giving away the mood. An accomplished leader of New South Wales, he has plenty to offer tactically, although he is expected to be too old to be a serious contender as the next Test captain. While his left-arm wrist-spin is under-valued by Ricky Ponting - Katich also says bowling aggravates his shoulder - his runs are always appreciated.Peter English

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Timeline

January 21, 2001 Waiting list on international entry

Gets his first international opportunity in the fifth match of the Carlton Series, against Zimbabwe at the MCG. Is due to bat at No. 5, but with Darren Lehmann and Michael Bevan seeing them through in the chase, his opportunity would arrive another day.

August 16, 2001 Just 15 on debut

Finishes on the losing side in his first Test in Headingley. Coming in at No. 6, he manages just 15 before being bowled by Darren Gough, the first of his five victims. He plays out six balls in the second innings to finish on 0 not out. Australia declare on 176 for 4, but lose the match by six wickets.

May 18, 2002 The switch works

Leaves his native Western Australia to join New South Wales for the following season and accepts the captaincy. Apart from the massive runs and many a successful season with NSW, he registers his highest first-class score, plundering nearly 200 in a session, along the way.

His second opportunity in Tests comes after more than two years, where he proves the unlikely hero with his left-arm spin. Having scored 52 in Australia's first-innings against Zimbabwe at the SCG, he wrecks the visitors' second innings with a career-best 6 for 65.

January 5, 2004 Sydney setting for maiden Test ton

Scores his first Test century. Hits 17 boundaries during his 166-ball 125 during the drawn Test at the SCG against India.

October 28, 2004 Unlucky in Nagpur

Misses out on his second Test century by a solitary run, falling for 99 in Nagpur against India, in a match Australia win by 342 runs.

Has a poor Ashes campaign, scoring 248 runs in nine innings at an average of less than 28. Scores a duck against West Indies at the Gabba later that year, and is dropped from the Test team for the next two-and-a-half years.

February 14, 2006 Glory at the Gabba

His maiden and only ODI century comes in the third final of the VB Series. Against Sri Lanka at the Gabba, he hits nine boundaries en route to an unbeaten 107 off 142 balls and his opening stand with Adam Gilchrist hands Australia a nine-wicket win.

Registers his highest Test score of 157 in his comeback series, against West Indies in Barbados. His 332-ball stay, including 14 boundaries, sets up an 87-run win for Australia.

November 8, 2008 Making amends in Nagpur

Scores 102 against India at the same city where he had scored 99 four years back, but the result isn't as favourable this time, as Australia lose by 172 runs.

February 6, 2009 The Clarke fracas

Confirms that he was involved in a dressing-room altercation with Michael Clarke after the Sydney Test against South Africa. The players had argued over the singing of the team song, Beneath the Southern Cross, and had to be pulled apart by team-mates. Clarke reportedly wanted it to be completed early so he could leave for a family function.

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